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Walter von Schönkopf (Japanese: ワルター・フォン・シェーンコップ) was the commander of the Rosen Ritter. An expert in ground warfare, he and his unit were important members of the 13th Fleet and later, the Yang Fleet and were responsible for undertaking any of their ground engagements.

Little is known about his teenage years in the Alliance, but by the time he was eighteen in 782 UC(473 IC / 3582 CE), he had decided to become a soldier. He enrolled in a professional ground warfare school instead of the more prestigious officer academy as he disliked its atmosphere. Nevertheless, as a corporal he garnered numerous accolades such that within two years, he was recommended to be trained as an officer in the academy and successfully graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant and was posted to the Rosen Ritter in 786 UC(477 IC / 3586 CE). It was also during this period where he became known for his sexual advances. (HBSHBL: 'Those Who Defected')

The Rosen Ritter

The Rosen Ritter was a special infantry regiment in the Alliance military composed exclusively of Imperial exiles, dissidents, and the children of Imperial citizens who, for whatever reason, fled to the Free Planets Alliance. Schönkopf in his time within the Rosen Ritter rose through the ranks rapidly and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and appointed as the Vice-Commander by his late-twenties. (HBSHBL: 'Those Who Defected')

Battle of Van-Fleet Starzone

In March 794 UC(485 IC / 3594 CE), Schönkopf along with the Rosen Ritter was posted to an Alliance rear support base in Van-Fleet 4-2 as part of the ground defence force when the Imperial Fleet unexpectedly dispatched an entire fleet to the same satellite. After the then regimental commander Colonel Otto Frank von Wahnschaffe died from severe injuries received during a surprise ambush, Schönkopf, being the second-in-command, was appointed as interim commander. He then drew up a plan to resist an expected full-scale Imperial assault on the base long enough before fleet reinforcements arrived. His plan was ultimately successful, albeit with heavy losses, and it would take a few months before he could be officially promoted to Colonel and appointed as the 13th Regimental Commander of the Rosen Ritter. (HBSHBL: 'Those Who Defected', 'Bloodshed in April', 'A Dangerous Man', 'Truth Is the Daughter of Time')

The Iserlohn Infiltration

In 796 UC(487 IC / 3596 CE), while defending a waitress in a bar from several other Alliance officers, Schönkopf drew the attention of Rear Admiral Yang Wen-li, who had only recently been given command of the 13th Fleet, with orders to capture the notorious Iserlohn Fortress. Yang decided, at that moment, to put the Rosen Ritter in the 13th Fleet under his command. Despite the flurry of rumours circulating about the disloyalty of the Rosen Ritter, and its current commander, Walter von Schönkopf in particular, Yang decided to trust them completely, and to use the Rosen Ritter as the crux of his plan to capture Iserlohn Fortress. Yang had said, "If he turns traitor, they'll say I was no judge of character. The 'one man hero' will disappear from this world." (LOGH: 'The Rosen Ritter')

After the war

After the end of the war against the Empire Schönkopf remained in the army and in command of the Rosen Ritter, in contrast to Yang, who retired. Schönkopf was well aware of the fact that he, as a Yang staff member, was under tight surveillance, a fact he treated lightly. After the escalation of the measures taken against Yang, Schönkopf had a meeting with Dusty Attemborough, where they agreed upon the need to act. Following the meeting they were followed by the police and was ordered to stop in the pretence of exceeding the speed limit, something impossible, as they were driving on autopilot. Schönkopf switched to manual controls and they managed to evade the police, however this incident triggered the execution of the plot to intervene in the procedure against Yang and free him. Along with those in Yang's staff who were present on Heinessen Schönkopf organized the abduction of High Council Chairman João Rebelo and the infiltration of the prison Yang was held. While Schönkopf and the Rosen Ritter forced their way through the prison, Yang's adjutant Frederica Greenhill managed to find Yang's cell and entered just in time to save him from execution by his guard. (LOGH: 'Invitation to an Opera')

With Yang in their command, the rebels planned to abduct the Imperial Consul on HeinessenHelmut Lennenkampt by infiltrating the hotel he had designated as his headquarters. Schönkopf and his Rosen Ritter executed the attack, fending off continuous resistance by Panzergrenadier and normal foot soldier brigades on all staircases that were not destroyed in time. Schönkopf himself held one, forcing his enemies to hand-to-hand combat by spreading Seffle particles in the surroundings and then taking the charging Imperial soldiers out one by one, until the operation was completed and they were able to safely evacuate the hotel. (LOGH: 'Blood Running Down the Stairs: Cascade')

Schönkopf then followed Yang to Iserlohn and again assumed his duties of Fortress Commander. He was aboard the Hyperion during the final Imperial attack on Iserlohn.

The Iserlohn Republic

Schönkopf remained on Iserlohn as Fortress Commander after Yang's death. He accompanied Julian Mintz at the Battle of Shiva however and led a boarding party onto the Brunhild, declaring that if Julian found the Kaiser first then he could negotiate but if von Schönkopf was first then he would kill Reinhard. In fact he and the Rosen Ritter guarded the rear while Julian pressed on. Schönkopf was struck from the back by an unarmoured Imperial Forces sergeant. Although mortally wounded he politely asked the sergeant's name and spared his life, continuing to fight. However, he eventually sat down, unable to continue and died peacefully, considering what he should make his last words and thinking of Rosalein von Kreutzer, the mother of his daughter Katerose von Kreutzer. He was 37 years of age. (LOGH: 'The Beautiful Maiden Wants Blood')

Name variations

Walter von Schenkopp (LD subtitles)

Memorable quotes

"When I was six years old, I fled to this free country, brought by my grandparents. It's already been 28 years, but I remember it well. The contemptuous looks of the customs officials... penetrating as coldly as the wind, treating exiles like beggars. I probably won't forget it until I die."

"If I said, 'the regimental commander of the Rosen Ritter... does that ring a bell?"

"Whether in the Empire or the Alliance, corruption in the military is the same."

"So governments can sell out their own people, but the reverse is not allowed?"

"Admiral, if, as the rumors say, I'm the 7th traitor, what will you do?"

"Walter Von Schenkopp, age 37, died upon leaving these words. He needs no epitaph for his grave. Only beautiful women's tears will bring peace to his soul."

Background information

Schönkpof translates as Beautiful Head in German, denoting to the slight sense of vanity Walter has displayed.